The final performances in The Little Theatre for the 2025-26 season are coming up, as The Firebugs is scheduled for four shows from April 23 to 26 on the campus of Central Methodist University
Written by Max Frisch and translated by Michael Bullock, The Firebugs tells the story of Gottlieb Biedermann, a businessman who lives in a small town with his wife, Babette, and maid, Anna. The town has been plagued by numerous “arson” attacks from within homes, and the family lives on edge. One night, while Biedermann relaxes, a strange door-to-door salesman works his way inside, with a ploy to burn down the Biedermann household.
The Little Theatre production is directed by senior theatre arts major Gram Coalier, with Justyn Daigle cast in the lead role of Gottlieb Biedermann. Other members of the cast include Madisyn Conway as Babette Biedermann, Meckenzie Jones as Anna, Davis Conway as Schmitz, Edric Twine as Eisenring, Taylor Martin as Policeman, Walker Lapinski as Widow Knechtling, Emeline DeLapp as Doctor of Philosophy, and Andrew Adams as Chorus Leader. Martin, Lapinski, and DeLapp also join the chorus, along with Rachel Fisher and Jackson Krause.
Joining Coalier behind the scenes are Emma McLaughlin as assistant director and stage manager, Alaina Watson on sound design, sound board operator, and master electrician; Owen Flores as light board operator; Harmony Andrews on spotlight; Cecelia Rancatore and Andrews on poster, program design, and public relations; Anna Walker as prop master and deck crew; Nyx Sauer on deck crew and costume crew; and Vivian Gravitz and Elizabeth Boyd on costume crew. Scene shop assistants include Flores, Sauer, Coalier, McLaughlin, Jones, Gravitz, and Watson, while set construction was performed by Evan Fleetwood, Austin Foye, Aidan Jacobs, Clayton Neisen, Brett Petersen, Doone Taylor, and Warren Taylor. Scene painting included Sauer, Jones, Boyd, Rylee Densmore, Emily Gibson, Jonathan Milton, Carianne Peterson, and Delaney Snyder.
Along with the students and other volunteers, Professor Lonna Wilke serves as the scenic and lighting designer and technical director, while Terri Rohlfing is the costume designer, and Dr. Mark Kelty serves as the Little Theatre artistic director.
The show will premiere on Thursday, April 23 at 7 p.m., with evening shows following at the same time on Friday and Saturday. The Sunday matinee will begin at 1:30 p.m. on April 26.
For CMU main stage productions, tickets are $15 for general admission, $10 for CMU faculty and staff, and $5 for seniors and non-CMU students. CMU students are admitted for free with ID. Reservations are accepted the week of each performance. Check with the box office at 660-248-6281 for details.